Review of the transfer of the 2003 Cabinet records from PM&C to the National Archives of Australia

Following a media query on 18 December 2023, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) identified that it had failed to transfer 78 Cabinet records from 2003 to the National Archives of Australia (NAA), in line with historical arrangements.

On 1 January 2024, Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of PM&C commissioned an independent review of the transfer process for the 2003 records and to confirm all relevant records had been transferred to the NAA. Mr Dennis Richardson AC was appointed to conduct the review.

Australia Day 2024 Honours

Congratulations to the recipients in the Australia Day 2024 Honours List, who were announced today by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd).

The achievements of 1042 Australians across community service, science and research, industry, sport, the arts and more, were recognised in the Honours list, which includes:

Statement – Independent review into the transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has accepted all recommendations for the department from the independent review into the 2020 transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia (NAA).

Secretary Professor Glyn Davis AC appointed Mr Dennis Richardson AC to undertake the review on 1 January 2024. The final report was delivered to the Secretary and Director-General of the NAA, Mr Simon Froude, on 25 January 2024. 

Australia’s gift to the new King and Queen of Denmark

The Australian Government has announced a national contribution, on behalf of the people of Australia, to mark the succession to the Danish throne by His Majesty King Frederik the 10th of Denmark, with Her Majesty Queen Mary.

A national contribution of $10,000 will go to registered charity Wildcare Tasmania to support its work towards conservation of the Tasmanian devil.

This contribution will directly support the charity’s research and trials to help the Tasmanian devils fight back from the devastating impact of a facial tumour disease.

Transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia

In 2020 the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department) transferred 2003 Cabinet records, including those prepared for the National Security Committee of Cabinet, to the National Archives of Australia (the Archives).

This is the normal process and allows time for appropriate consultation with relevant agencies to ensure content released is compliant with exemptions in the Archives Act 1983.

Secretaries Board communique: 6 December 2023

The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.

Address by the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP

The Board received an update from the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP on the Government’s priorities.

2024 Board Priorities

The Board discussed the key strategic priorities and Board arrangements for the 2024 calendar year.